Single heat exchanger

ABSTRACT

A single heat exchanger includes a first core and a second core and a connecting mechanism interconnecting the first core and the second core. The first core and the second core are positioned at an angle relative to each other via the connecting mechanism.

This application is a divisional of U.S. Application Ser. No. 09/470,546filed Dec. 22, 1999.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to heat exchangers and, morespecifically, to a single heat exchanger used in a motor vehicle.

2. Description of the Related Art

It is known to provide motor vehicles with heat exchangers such ascondensers, evaporators, heaters, and coolers. Typically, these heatexchangers have separate cores such that a separate heat exchanger coreis provided for an evaporator and a heater. However, separate stampingpress dies are required for each heat exchanger core, resulting in arelatively large amount of floor space for each stamping die. Further,stamping each separate heat exchanger core is not efficient, resultingin a relatively large amount of stamping scrap.

Therefore, it is desirable to provide a single heat exchanger having anevaporator core and a heater core. Also, it is desirable to provide aheat exchanger having two separate cores in a single stamping.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention is a single heat exchanger includinga first core and a second core and a connecting mechanisminterconnecting the first core and the second core. The first core andthe second core are positioned at an angle relative to each other viathe connecting mechanism.

One advantage of the present invention is that a single heat exchangeris provided having a separate evaporator core and heater core. Anotheradvantage of the present invention is that single heat exchangerincludes tabs or a common end sheet that allows the cores to bepositioned at an angle to each other. Yet another advantage of thepresent invention is that the single heat exchanger allows the cores tobe positioned at an angle and facilitate the use of traditional climatecontrol strategies, which incorporate blend doors for temperaturecontrol. Still another advantage of the present invention is that thesingle heat exchanger increases manufacturing efficiencies by producingboth cores at the same time and decreasing manufacturing costs. Afurther advantage of the present invention is that the single heatexchanger may also reduce required packaging space in a motor vehicle.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will be readilyappreciated, as the same becomes better understood, after reading thesubsequent description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a single heat exchanger, according tothe present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a portion of the single heat exchanger of FIG.1.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1 illustrating the single heatexchanger in an operative position.

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view of the single heat exchanger of FIG. 3illustrated in operational relationship with a motor vehicle.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment, according to thepresent invention, of the single heat exchanger of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 illustrating the single heatexchanger in an operative position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

Referring to the drawings and in particular FIGS. 1 and 4, oneembodiment of a single heat exchanger 10, according to the presentinvention, is shown for a climate control system 12 of a motor vehicle(not shown). The single heat exchanger 10 includes a plurality ofgenerally parallel beaded plates 14, pairs of which are joined togetherin a face-to-face relationship to provide a channel (not shown)therebetween. The single heat exchanger 10 also includes a plurality ofconvoluted or serpentine fins 16 attached to an exterior of each of thebeaded plates 12. The fins 16 are disposed between each pair of thejoined beaded plates 14 to form a stack as illustrated in FIG. 1. Thefins 16 serve as a means for conducting heat away from the beaded plates14 while providing additional surface area for convective heat transferby air flowing over the single heat exchanger 10. It should beappreciated that the single heat exchanger 10 could be used in otherapplications besides motor vehicles.

Referring to FIG. 2, the beaded plate 14 extends longitudinally and issubstantially planar or flat. The beaded plate 14 includes a first coreportion such as an evaporator core portion 18 and a second core portionsuch as a heater core portion 20. The evaporator core portion 18includes a raised boss (not shown) on one end having a pair of laterallyspaced apertures 22 extending therethrough. The bosses are stackedtogether such that the apertures 22 are aligned to form a flow header 24to allow parallel flow of fluid through the channels of the evaporatorcore portion 18 of the beaded plates 14. The evaporator core portion 18includes a surface 26 being generally planar and extendinglongitudinally and laterally. The evaporator core portion 18 alsoincludes a dividing wall 28 extending longitudinally from the endadjacent the flow header 24 and terminating a predetermined distancefrom the other end to form a fluid passage 29 from an inlet one of theapertures 22 to an outlet one of the apertures 22. The evaporator coreportion 18 also includes a plurality of beads 30 extending above andgenerally perpendicular to a plane of the surface 26 and spacedlaterally from each other. The beads 30 are generally circular in shape,but may have any suitable shape, and have a predetermined diameter suchas three millimeters. It should be appreciated that the flow headers 24can be at opposite ends of the channel creating single pass evaporatorcore portion 18 or on the same side of the channel creating a U flowevaporator core portion 18.

The heater core portion 20 includes a raised boss (not shown) on one endhaving a pair of laterally spaced apertures 32 extending therethrough.The bosses are stacked together such that the apertures 32 are alignedto form a flow header 34 to allow parallel flow of fluid through thechannels of the heater core portion 20 of the beaded plates 14. Theheater core portion 20 includes a surface 36 being generally planar andextending longitudinally and laterally. The heater core portion 20 alsoincludes a dividing wall 38 extending longitudinally from the endadjacent the flow header 34 and terminating a predetermined distancefrom the other end to form a fluid passage 39 from an inlet one of theapertures 32 to an outlet one of the apertures 32. The heater coreportion 20 also includes a plurality of beads 40 extending above andgenerally perpendicular to a plane of the surface 36 and spacedlaterally from each other. The beads 40 are generally circular in shape,but may have any suitable shape, and have a predetermined diameter suchas three millimeters. It should be appreciated that the flow headers 34can be at opposite ends of the channel creating single pass heater coreportion 20 or on the same side of the channel creating a U flow heatercore portion 20.

The single heat exchanger 10 also include a connecting mechanism,generally indicated at 42, interconnecting the ends of the evaporatorcore portion 18 and heater core portion 20 of the beaded plates 14. Theconnecting mechanism 42 is a plurality of connection tabs 44 extendinglongitudinally and spaced laterally between the ends of the evaporatorcore portion 18 and heater core portion 20 for a function to bedescribed. The beaded plates 14 are made of a metal material such asaluminum. Each beaded plate 14 is formed as a single stamping and as amonolithic structure being integral and one-piece. It should beappreciated that the connection tabs 44 provide the support andrigidness needed during assembly of the single heat exchanger 10. Itshould also be appreciated that the beaded plates 14 are stamped toposition the evaporator core portion 18 and heater core portion 20 ofthe single heat exchanger 10 back to back in a single stamping pressdie, thereby maximizing stamping efficiency, while minimizing floorspace requirements and stamping scrap.

The single heat exchanger 10 further includes oppositely disposed firstand second mounting tanks or plates (not shown) at ends of the stack.The mounting plates fluidly communicate with the flow headers 24 and 34.The single heat exchanger 10 includes a fluid inlet (not shown) forconducting fluid into the evaporator core portion 18 formed in themounting plates and a fluid outlet (not shown) for directing fluid outof the evaporator core portion 18 formed in the mounting plates. Thesingle heat exchanger 10 includes a fluid inlet (not shown) forconducting fluid into the heater core portion 20 formed in the mountingplates and a fluid outlet (not shown) for directing fluid out of theheater core portion 20 formed in the mounting plates. It should beappreciated that fluid does not fluidly communicate between theevaporator core portion 18 and the heater core portion 20.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the single heat exchanger 10 is assembledwith the beaded plates 14 in mirrored opposite pairs to form thechannels and flow headers and fins 16 disposed between the pairs of thebeaded plates 14, creating a heat exchanger with a first core such as anevaporator core 46 at one end and a second core such as a heater core 48at the other end. End plates (not shown) and connector tubes (not shown)for both refrigerant and coolant are also added to complete the assemblyof the single heat exchanger 10. The single heat exchanger 10 is brazedto form a leak free unit. Once brazed, one side or set of connectiontabs 44 are cut or severed, providing flexibility, and the evaporatorcore 46 and heater core 48 are positioned at an angle relative to eachother as illustrated in FIG. 3. It should be appreciated that, with atleast one row of the connecting tabs 44 remaining, the evaporator core46 and heater core 48 can be bent using this row of connection tabs 44as the axis of rotation. It should also be appreciated that the severingof the connection tabs 44 does not impinge on the fluid passages or thecollection and return tanks so that the combination core of the singleheat exchanger 10 remains leak free.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the single heat exchanger 10 is installed inthe climate control system 12. In the climate control system 12, freshair is pushed through one hundred percent from a blower 50 to theevaporator core 46 as illustrated by the arrows. The air flows throughthe fins 16 of the evaporator core 46 and the air is cooled for airconditioner performance and dehumidified for improved defrosterperformance. As the air leaves the evaporator core 46, a percentage fromzero to one hundred of the air is directed through the heater core 48.The percentage is determined by adjusting the position of a temperaturecontrol door 52 and directed to the heater core 48. The air flows pastthe fins 16 through the heater core 48 for temperature control. Theclimate control system 12 can be deactivated to eliminate the need toheat air that has already been cooled when full heat is required. In adefroster mode, the climate control system 12 is activated to removemoisture from the incoming air.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, another embodiment 110, according to thepresent invention, is shown for the single heat exchanger 10. Like partsof the single heat exchanger 10 have like reference numerals increasedby one hundred (100). In this embodiment, the single heat exchanger 110has the evaporator core 146 and heater core 148 produced at the sametime. The single heat exchanger 110 has the beaded plates 114 with theevaporator core portion 118 and heater core portion 120 extendinglongitudinally and spaced laterally by the connecting mechanism 142interconnecting the sides of the evaporator core portion 118 and heatercore portion 120. The connecting mechanism 142 includes a plurality ofconnection tabs 144 extending laterally and spaced longitudinallybetween the sides of the evaporator core portion 118 and heater coreportion 120. The beaded plates 114 are made of a metal material such asaluminum. Each beaded plate 114 is formed as a single stamping and as amonolithic structure being integral and one-piece.

The connecting mechanism 142 also includes a common bottom end sheet 160connected to the evaporator core 146 and heater core 148 by suitablemeans such as brazing. The bottom end sheet 160 has a crease 162extending longitudinally and disposed between the evaporator core 146and heater core 148. The crease 162 is a living hinge in the bottom endsheet 160 to permit bending thereof. The bottom end sheet 160 is made ofa metal material such as aluminum. Alternatively, the beaded plates 114that form the heater core portion 120 could be stamped with one die,followed by stamping out the common bottom end sheet 160 and thenstamping out the beaded plates 114 that form the evaporator core portion118, and assembled such that the heater core 148 and evaporator core 146are positioned end to end with the common end sheet 160 connecting thetwo. It should be appreciated that the bottom end sheet 160 runsparallel to the beaded plates 114 and permits bending.

In operation, the single heat exchanger 110 is assembled with the beadedplates 114 and fins 116 disposed between pairs of the beaded plates 114that form the channels, creating a heat exchanger with the evaporatorcore 146 on one side and the heater core 148 on the other side. Theconnecting tabs 144 are cut or severed, providing flexibility, and theevaporator core 146 and heater core 148 are positioned at an anglerelative to each other as illustrated in FIG. 6. It should beappreciated that the single heat exchanger 110 may be installed in theclimate control system 12 similar to the single heat exchanger 10. Itshould also be appreciated that the single heat exchanger 110 has acombination heater core 146 and evaporator core 148 producedsimultaneously then bent to a predetermined angle about the crease 162in the bottom end sheet 160 that the two cores 146 and 148 share. Itshould further be appreciated that by positioning the cores 146 and 148at an angle allows the use of the blend door 52 for temperature control.

The present invention has been described in an illustrative manner. Itis to be understood that the terminology, which has been used, isintended to be in the nature of words of description rather than oflimitation.

Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possiblein light of the above teachings. Therefore, within the scope of theappended claims, the present invention may be practiced other than asspecifically described.

What is claimed is:
 1. A single heat exchanger comprising: a first coreand a second core; a plurality of plates having a first core portion toform said first core and a second core portion to form said second core;a member connected to said first core and said second core; and aconnecting mechanism laterally interconnecting said first core and saidsecond core, wherein said connecting mechanism is severed to allowpositioning of said first core and said second core at an angle greaterthen zero degrees relative to each other.
 2. A single heat exchanger asset forth in claim 1 wherein said member includes a living hinge betweensaid first core and said second core.
 3. A single heat exchanger as setforth in claim 1 wherein said member comprises a common end sheetconnected to said first core and said second core.
 4. A single heatexchanger as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first core portionextends longitudinally and said second core portion extendslongitudinally.
 5. A single heat exchanger as set forth in claim 1wherein said connecting mechanism comprises a plurality of tabsextending laterally between sides of said second core portion and saidfirst core portion and spaced longitudinally.
 6. A single heat exchangeras set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said second core portion andsaid first core portion have a flow header.
 7. A single heat exchangeras set forth in claim 1 wherein said plates include a plurality ofbeads.
 8. A single heat exchanger as set forth in claim 1 wherein saidplates are made of a metal material.
 9. A single heat exchanger as setforth in claim 1 wherein each of said plates is formed as a singlestamping and as a monolithic structure being integral and one-piece. 10.A single heat exchanger comprising: an evaporator core and a heatercore; a plurality of plates having an evaporator core portion to formsaid evaporator core and a heater core portion to form said heater core,said evaporator core portion extending longitudinally and said heatercore portion extending longitudinally; and a living hingeinterconnecting said evaporator core and said heater core and aconnecting mechanism laterally interconnecting said evaporator core andsaid heater core, wherein said connecting mechanism is severed to allowpositioning of said evaporator core and said heater core at an anglegreater than zero degrees relative to each other via said living hinge.11. A single heat exchanger as set forth in claim 10 including a commonend sheet connected to said evaporator core and said heater core.
 12. Asingle heat exchanger as set forth in claim 11 wherein said end sheet isat a bottom of said evaporator core and said heater core.
 13. A singleheat exchanger as set forth in claim 11 wherein said living hingecomprises a crease in said common end sheet disposed between saidevaporator core and said heater core.
 14. A single heat exchangercomprising: an evaporator core and a heater core; a living hingeinterconnecting said evaporator core and said heater core, wherein saidevaporator core and said heater core are positioned at an angle relativeto each other via said living hinge; a plurality of plates having anevaporator core portion to form said evaporator core and a heater coreportion to form said heater core, said evaporator core portion extendinglongitudinally and said heater core portion extending longitudinally,and a plurality of tabs extending laterally between sides of said heatercore portion and said evaporator core portion and spaced longitudinally,said tabs being severed to allow positioning of said evaporator core andsaid heater core.
 15. A single heater exchanger comprising: anevaporator core and a heater core; a plurality of plates having anevaporator core portion to form said evaporator core and a heater coreportion to form said heater core; a member connected to said evaporatorcore and said heater core; and a plurality of connection tabs extendinglaterally between longitudinal sides of said evaporator core and saidheater core, wherein said are severed to allow positioning of saidevaporator core and said heater core, wherein said tabs are severed toallow positioning of said evaporator core and said heater core at anangle greater than greater relative to each other.
 16. A single heatexchanger as set forth in claim 15 wherein said evaporator core portionextends longitudinally and said heater core portion extendslongitudinally.
 17. A single heater exchanger as set forth in claim 16wherein said tabs are spaced longitudinally between the sides of saidheater core portion and said evaporator core portion.
 18. A single heatexchanger comprising: a first core and a second core; a common end sheetconnected to said first core and said second core; and a plurality oftabs extending laterally interconnecting said first core and said secondcore, said tabs being severed to allow positioning of said first coreand said second core at an angle greater than zero degrees relative toeach other via said end sheet.